[May 23, 2014]CHICAGO – With the arrival of Memorial
Day and the start of the summer travel season, at several events
throughout the state, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
has highlighted data showing the ages of individuals who have died
unbelted in motor vehicle crashes in recent years. This data was
stressed as a reminder to people of all ages as the Illinois State
Police and over 500 local law enforcement agencies step up seat belt
enforcement efforts heading into Memorial Day weekend as part of the
“Click It or Ticket” campaign.

Starting today, and running through the holiday weekend,
motorists will see hundreds of additional seat belt enforcement
zones and other enforcement patrols looking for seat belt law
violators and drunk drivers. This increased enforcement effort is
part of the 2014 National Memorial Day Crackdown that started on May
9 in Illinois, and is intended to save lives by increasing seat belt
use in Illinois and throughout the country.

Since 1985 in Illinois, IDOT estimates over 9,000 lives have been
saved by seat belts. Illinois’ daytime, front-seat belt usage rate
is almost 94 percent, yet motor vehicle fatality data shows people
are still not buckling up.

“Even with a seat belt usage rate of nearly 94% in Illinois, motor
vehicle crash data shows that half of those dying in vehicle crashes
aren’t buckled,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L.
Schneider. “No matter where or when you’re traveling in Illinois,
you must make the life-saving decision to buckle up.”

“Illinois State Police and law enforcement statewide will partner to
enforce traffic laws so that the roads and motorists are safe. The
highways will be busy and motorists and passengers are vulnerable
when traffic laws are not followed,” said ISP Director Hiram Grau.
“Police statewide will partner to enforce all traffic laws, but
especially want the motoring public to remember to buckle up - that
includes drivers and all passengers safely restrained inside the
vehicle.”

Recent motor vehicle fatality data shows those dying in
crashes while not wearing seat belts are older adults, not just
teens and young adults.

“Individuals ages 21-34, and those aged 16-20, especially males
in these age groups still represent over half of those dying
unbuckled,” said Schneider. “However, older adults between the
ages of 35-54 also represent a large portion of unbuckled motor
vehicle deaths.”

From 2009-2013, 350 people ranging in age from 35-54 died on
Illinois roadways while unbuckled. Of those, 265 were males and
85 females. In the same timeframe, 199 individuals aged 16-20
were killed while not wearing a seat belt; 114 between the ages
of 55-64; 39 people aged 65.